onifukuchou | 二; Mallynappings suck 「action/voice」

二; Mallynappings suck 「action/voice」

[Hijikata stumbles out of the edge of the forest, barely managing to not trip over his own feet. He looks decidedly unwell - pale, sweaty, tired. A small part of his mind realizes he can't remember what day it is - or why he feels so awful, or how he ended up in the woods in the first place - but the larger part is concerned with more immediate problems like not falling over, and moving slowly enough that his vision doesn't start blurring again.

After a few largely fruitless minutes of trying to figure out where he is and where home is - gods, it feels like his brain has been replaced with mush - he realizes he should probably let someone know he's alive. Or something. He digs out his journal, not bothering with filters.]

Souji...? Someone...?

[...no, he doesn't sound a lot better than he looks]

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[Fayt doesn't hear Hijikata over the journals, rather he actually has the strange luck of passing by when he sees him, on his way back to the community building after some time at the dome.

He vaguely recognizes the man, if only thanks to spotting him around Souji's place on occasion, and it's enough to cause him to pause in step, brows creasing in worry when he sees how pale he looks.

...Was he sick?]

Hey... are you alright?

[It takes him a second or two to focus on the man who'd spoken to him. Vaguely familiar face, but where and why were escaping him right now]

What the fuck does it look like?

Honestly, I'd say you look like hell, but that was a rhetorical question for the most part. [Well, if the guy was going to be blunt about it, no reason Fayt shouldn't be the same. He steps closer, green eyes looking over the bedraggled looking man.]

I can help you get to the clinic, they should be able to help you there.

[Fayt wasn't a doctor-- basic first aid knowledge and some healing symbology aside, he had little to no knowledge of of how sick this guy was beyond that 'looks like hell' really.]

[There's a sort of half-hearted glare. He knows it's true, though, given how awful he feels]

Dunno if they can help. [It's not that he doesn't trust doctors, he's just dubious of their ability to do a whole lot. Mostly because 1860s Japan]

[It's not unusual for this one to be out in the forest, which is what ultimately leads her to stumble across a man who does not look well. She hadn't seen the broadcast, but she wasn't about to leave someone who needs help she can provide.. Rushing over, Saori crosses towards him quickly, calling out to the vaguely familiar looking stranger:]

Stop. Let me help you to the clinic, stranger.

Edited 2014-09-18 03:01 (UTC)

[He does actually stop, partially out of surprise, and partially because he reacts to the command without thinking - a rarity in someone used to giving commands like that.]

Dunno if it'd help.

[Well, the person who's standing there giving the command is used to having most commands obeyed anyway. Saori steps around into view and offers a nod. A young-ish woman dressed in clothes Hijikata might find a little dated even by his standards, she gives him a level look.]

You'd be surprised what doctors here can accomplish. Come here, and I will at least dull some of the pain.

[Someone he doesn't know - but then again, that's most of the people here. He hasn't exactly been going out and getting to know anyone.

And hell, it's not like she can make him feel worse. Probably. He nods, a little vaguely, and makes his way over to her, managing to only start to lose his balance once]

[Saori steps within arms reach, and holds up a hand.]

I'm going to call on one of the spirits of this world, so do not be alarmed.

[And then her palm begins to glow with a pale blue light as she reaches for him. Hopefully it isn't too alarming, but enough people in her experience have found magic offputting that she felt the warning was necessary.]

[He stops when she puts her hand out, and there's another vague sort of nod. He's seen people do other magic, here - and talk about the magic of this place, but never actually call on it. The curiosity is plainer on his face than it normally would be if he had the self-awareness to school his features better at the moment]

[She gently takes the hand and presses it to his chest, releasing a pulse of light and sensation into him. It's warm, soothing, and should at least dull the pain and help him walk straighter.]

Now, follow me.

[The warmth of the magic surprises him, though as he feels it spread through him, it pushes back some of the stiffness and the dizziness. He stands up a little straighter, his head no longer reeling as badly, and the nod he gives her is decidedly more decisive this time]

Thank you.

[Firmly she directs him towards the village and starts to walk, careful to keep an eye on his progress.]

You're welcome. May I ask your name, stranger?

[He follows, and he seems steadier on his feet than he was before, keeping up with her without major problems]

Hijikata Toshizou.

[There's an ever so faint widening of her eyes, as the name is familiar.]

A pleasure then. My name is Saori Kimura, the Daughter of Wind and Rain.

[She huffs a soft laugh.]

You were asking after Souji-san?

Well, then. Thank you, Saori-san.

[He shrugs a little]

I didn't want him to worry.

No, you wouldn't.

[Huffing a laugh, she looks back at him.]

You are the Hijikata Toshizo from his world, then?

[He makes a little bit of a face at her laugh - what does she know of them? But he doesn't tell her off for it.]

Yeah.

[She nods once and takes a deep breath.]

You and yours have always been well regarded by my people. Toshizo-san.

[There's just a faint emphasis on the honorific. Almost like it's unfamiliar.]

Many of us wish we could have done more to help you.

[He gives her a confused look. His headache is starting to work it's way back, which isn't helping]

...Are you from Kyoto, then? [that's the best guess he has, really]

No. Dazaifu, on Kyushu originally. Hakata, you might know it by. But I've been to Kyoto.

Though...never during your stay there. It was not permitted.

[He doesn't look any less confused. Then again, he remembers feeling that way a lot the first time he was here in Luceti, too.]

Government trouble, or...?

Heaven's laws don't allow us to interfere in mortal conflicts like that one.

[Simply stated, but with a lot of implication.]

[he actually slows, and stops to stare. Because he knows that the temples have no problem involving themselves in worldly affairs, whether they're supposed to or not - and there's a calm surety in her voice that makes him think deeper than the rules of the earthly world]

...Kami...? [there's uncertainty mixed with hushed awe]

[The reaction stops her short as well, though a soft smile graces her lips. The awe in his tone holds quite a lot of meaning for her. So few in this world have anything but contempt for the gods and spirits of the natural world. Being looked at without that is refreshing.]

Myojin. [A gentle correction, but an important distinction. Kami she is, but one of the elder, the exalted among the spirits.] Did my title not give it away?

[He gives her a bow, deep and formal, though when he straightens, there's a small sheepish smile on his face]

No - I'm... not particularly religious. [but has the decency to sound embarrassed about it, at least]

That's quite alright. Few here would even know what a Kami is, let alone just a title.

[She inclines her head, a muted smile there too.]

I am glad to meet you, regardless. Religious or not. But we're close to the clinic, so let's hurry.

[Of course. Of course Hijikata would return in the short window when Souji finally fell asleep. He'd been staying up as much as possible since he'd gone missing. The fear that he wouldn't come back had been stronger this time than any time before. Perhaps it was just because, well, he had finally been given something good and so he had that much more to lose.

When he woke, he saw the entry was a few hours old already. There weren't any responses yet, and that made him panic. What if Hijikata were still stuck somewhere?]

--ijikata-san?! Where are you? I'll come to you immediately.

At the clinic, right now.

[He sounds... tired, mostly.] I can come back to the house on my own [...probably]

[The clinic. Good. Thank the gods someone got him there, even if he would have preferred Hijikata to have come home.]

I'll be there shortly. It would be a good idea to rest where you are until your strength comes back.

[And now that relief has set in, why not tease a little while he gets ready to head out?]

Or so you would tell me if our positions were reversed, no?

Damnit, Souji.

[why do you have to be right]

[That's code for "You're so right, Souji, you're such a genius." He knows the truth.

And he's already on his way to the clinic, carting along a thicker haori for Hijikata and a small stack of books. He'd bring the pipe, but smoking probably isn't good for a sick person.]

What? Are you saying you wouldn't tell me to rest? I'll have to remember that for the next time I have a cold.

That's not what I said.

[teasing miserable sick vice-commanders is totally unfair, Souji]

Ohhhh? Well, then I suppose I should keep coming to the clinic then since that's where you'll be resting until tomorrow at the very least.

[and it's totally fair, what are you even saying.]

I'll even bring you a little something so you aren't bored there.

There's nothing wrong with the futon at home.

[He just wants to be somewhere nobody will ask him how he's feeling for, oh, about three days]

Except that it is at home and for you to come back to it would require taking you out of a warm bed first~

If you're really that lonely, we can make a sleepover of it. I'll bring Saizou.

[You never play fair, Souji]

If you leave the pig at home, I'll stay put.

[Then he's going to hate this...]

You promise?

[This is probably a trap but he is actually too tired to argue.]

Promise.

[It's always a trap.]

Good because I wasn't bringing him anyway. He's taking a nap.

Souji....

You promised~

[Action]

[And Souji shows up a moment later at the clinic, walking in through the doors to look around for Hijikata's bed.]

[Hijikata is sitting up, journal open in his lap. He doesn't look particularly happy - what else is new - though he doesn't look particularly well, either. He still looks tired and pale, though at least people are leaving him alone right now.

When he spots Souji, he gives him a small wave to get his attention]

[Souji smiles when he sees his friend sitting in bed - and actually staying put. He half expected to find Hijikata up and ready to leave since he'd been tricked, as if having a fever wasn't enough of a reason to sit still. One look at his condition, however, and Souji knows why he's stayed. It takes a great deal of willpower not to just run straight to Hijikata's side, but he knows that fretting so openly would only make Hijikata feel worse.

Thus, instead, he shut the door behind him, turned and raised the wrapped package of books as he approached the bed.]

I thought you might get bored in here after awhile. There's a blank book with a brush and ink inside, too.

You know. Juuust in case.

[Hijikata gives him a bleary, knowing glare]

What, so you can run off with it?

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二; Mallynappings suck 「action/voice」

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